This post needs some background so that you know where it’s coming from. The text below is from a 2 January 2020 post so it’s before COVID, before Home Storage Centers either shut down or were short on products, and before the Home Storage Centers stopped having monthly specials.
2 January 2020:
“During the last 2 years, many policy and administrative changes have taken place in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These changes have occupied the time and thought of most members as they try to implement those changes. When so much is happening, in addition to everyday responsibilities and difficulties, those things that are not habit or are not currently being taught to the members of the Church tend to get pushed to the side in favor of more pressing subjects. In my observation, one of those overlooked subjects is food storage.
“As I considered the situation, this question came to mind: What would be an easy way to obtain food storage and spend as little time as possible doing it? Then I considered the Home Storage Center sales that occur each month. Would buying 1 case of each of the long-term (10- to 30-year shelf life) storage items on sale result in a balanced food storage and, if so, how long would it feed a person?
“The short answer? Yes. Based on the sales (temporarily discounted items) in 2019, if a person had purchased 1 case (6 #10 cans, or 12 milk pouches, or 24 honey bottles) of each long-term storage item on sale each month plus bulk wheat on sale, he/she would have had a year’s supply of long-term storage for 1 adult PLUS a year’s supply of dried fruits and vegetables PLUS some extra food. All he/she would need to add is salt and fats. How easy is that?!”
Now it’s 2026. Reading this post again made me wonder if a monthly plan could be set up to get a year’s supply of long-term basic food in a year’s time. My conclusion? Yes, it can and very easily. The amount of money spent every month will vary but it averages out to $111 per month. It can be done by purchasing 2 cases per month from a check list plus adding 20 pounds of fats and 5 to 8 pounds of salt at some time during the year. Pick what you want and can afford each month until you have them all. At the end of the year, you will have a nutritionally balanced year’s supply of long-term storage foods plus a six-month supply of fruits and vegetables in 24 boxes for one adult.
What if you don’t live near a Home Storage Center or what if you can’t get there when it’s open? Now you can order online and get almost the same price (within a few cents) and shipping is only $3 no matter how much you order. The total price, before shipping, is actually 18 cents less than going to the Home Storage Center. Then when you factor in gasoline costs, it’s a great deal! Three dollars won’t pay for a gallon of gas in most places.
Click HERE for the purchase list. Pick 2 cases each month and check them off. Repeat each month for the rest of the year. Order them online or go to your local Home Storage Center. If you get others to do the same thing, you could form a buying co-op and save trips.
Where do you put those 24 boxes when you get home? Click HERE for a list of some ideas and HERE for a video with ideas. Look for the video “Family Home Storage – Meet Maureen”.
